Cannoneers claim Colonial thriller

Watervliet freshman Griffin Kelly (above, with ball) scored a game-high 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Cannoneers to a 55-53 overtime thriller over Cohoes on Tuesday night. Cohoes made a valiant 19-4 second half rally to get back in the game and Gary-Nelson-Gill's free throw with 49 seconds remaining sent the game to overtime. Watervliet's Chris Hughes scored all five of his points in overtime, including a wide-open three from the corner, to seal the victory. (All photos by J.S. Carras - The Record)

Cohoes' Carlos Torres takes it to the rim against Watervliet's Devonte Gleason in Tuesday's Colonial Council game. The Cannoneers limited Cohoes' Nick Benoit to four points - Benoit is the reigning Council MVP. Watervliet head coach Walter Bowden said after the game that Kevin Pontore "played the game of his life" defending Benoit and he also chipped in with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Claeb Gleason also did a great job clogging up the paint to keep Benoit off the scoreboard.

Watervliet's Caleb Gleason (left) fights for the ball with Cohoes' Josh LeMay during Tuesday's game. The Cannoneers are on a roll lately and they'll travel to Voorheesville on Tuesday for their Colonial Council finale. They'll compete in the Class B bracket this postseason, which is full of talented teams including Hudson Falls, Broadalbin-Perth, Fonda-Fultonville, Tamarac and Schuylerville, among others.

--On the girls side, Hoosic Valley's Carlee Chapko (4) pictured above against Stillwater earlier this year, hit a three-pointer in final minute of Tuesday's rematch in Stillwater to give the Indians a 29-25 victory. It was a crucial Wasaren League game as Hoosic Valley finally corralled control of first place in the standings.Carolyn Houston led Hoosic Valley (10-1, 16-1) with 13 points.Abbey Hanehan scored a game-high 16 points for the Warriors (9-2, 12-4).

The Lansingburgh girls defeated Ravena and have extended their Colonial Council record to 12-3. They are certainly a dark horse candidate heading into the Class A sectional tournament.

Look for the full recap of Tuesday's high school action as well as the Watervliet game story and more on Griffin Kelly in Wednesday's edition of The Record.